​This past Saturday, I was at a craft show as a vendor for the purpose of getting my feet wet at selling hand made items and to assist my niece who is a very busy mom to fill a table and have someone to share in the joy of displaying her skills and talent. It was lots of fun! Check out my niece Ashley's handiwork on Facebook.
 Simultaneously, (almost albeit the time difference) my daughter and her partner where also attending a craft show in BC selling their hand crafted furniture and wood art.  The picture of the  www.twillandtimber.com booth is below:

Below are my items on display at home prior to the show.  I had cup cozies, mitten clips, bandana bibs for babies, baby bib and pacifier clip sets, bunny ear teething rings, purse tissue packs and "Sniffle Monsters"

... and the last minute item that I made and the funniest of them all, my "sniffle monsters" were my best seller.  These are tissue packs for kids (or adults who love fun stuff).
​ Murphy's Law is always at work in my life! Too funny!!!

Do you ever have those Sunday nights when there is absolutely nothing good on TV and you decide to do a random project to get yourself organized?  I've been into organizational mode lately as my  sewing studio is being built and I know when I move in everything needs to be organized.  So last nights TV drought served a purpose!

I decided, like the men in my life (not to sort screws) but to sort buttons.  Of course my husband had to say "and you tease me about sorting screws!" So, my button jar which gets annoyingly emptied onto a table every time I need a single coloured button, was finally organized last night.

 It went from this:

To this:

... and I "plan" to do this once my studio is ready:

I know, it's a small project, but instantly satisfying.
​
Have a great week!

​Today was a scheduled day of pseudo teaching with my sister Alison and a good friend Linda.

​Between power sewing,
​some "reverse stitching", directional issues, lots of laughs and sharing of funny stories, we managed to complete 6 mini totes between the 3 of us. Some suggested uses for this tote: A handy tote for toys for children, craft supplies, sewing tools, a gift exchange for a quilting friend and a tote for hexies. 

We even tried a grown up and "quilty selfie" (who knew they even existed?) I think we invented it!!

By the end of this day, I can say that we were very productive, we learned from some rather funny mistakes, and best of all had a better sense of wellbeing because of it. 

Happy Monday, Share your knowledge with friends!

  

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​Recently, I was watching a video about The City Quilter (a quilt shop in New York City ) and they made a comment about young girls coming into the shop as a "skipped generation".

I know with the educational system as it is, we cannot rely on it to teach them any domestic arts.  I feel that as a result not only domestic arts suffer, but so does art in general.  Just my humble opinion.

Since my 2 girls were about 8 years old, I have been trying my best to insure they: 1) know how to sew and 2) are motivated to sew.
 
This weekend, I had the pleasure and honour to assist my daughter with her OCAD University (Ontario College of Art and Design) thesis project involving her study of changing domestic arts and it's affect on relationships.  

​Mallory's above art quilt was first printed on fabric and then some elements were removed to actually tell more of the story.  The bodies of the lady and girl are heavily thread painted and the aprons are stuffed to emphasize domesticity.  

The picture above does not show the detail. There is an abundance of quilting and thread painting on the piece and I am happy to say that Mallory only needed some guidance, she clearly has a grasp of her machine and  sewing skills learned a few years back.

If you have a creative skill, I encourage you to share with someone from the "skipped generation".

Happy Monday :)
​
See thread painting detail below:

Hobbies are VITAL!


I had a great weekend working on projects that inspire me.  One was rather crafty and seasonal, a fall wreath for my front door and the others were of course sewing projects.
I will be showing the sewing projects in later blog posts this week.
I reflect today on what made this such a great weekend?
It was therapeutic for me because I was able to work on projects that made me happy and I realize the value of my creative pursuits.  
I wish for everyone to have pursuits outside of work and family responsibilities and although not scientific, these are the reasons I believe that having a hobby or creative pursuit is important:
1) Creative hobbies are great ways to take a break from your busy life while still having a sense of purpose. You are still getting something done.
2) It promotes Eustress. Eustress: This is the type of ‘positive’ stress that keeps us vital and excited about life. For example, the excitement of a roller-coaster ride or making something new or reading a pattern, there may be challenges with it, but it is part of being alive and it's not negative.
3)Hobbies offer a new challenge. Hobbies break up routine and challenge you in new ways. They are not like work related challenges, they are more positive!
​4)Hobbies allow you to be united with others.  If you attend a guild or events related to your creative outlet like I did with the Waterloo County Quilters Guild - you meet friends who share common interests.
5)Hobbies provide an outlet for stress- so if you work, get in your sewing room and you will find that your work related stress is soon forgotten or the stress fades.
6)Hobbies promote staying present- when you are sewing or quilting you are focused, not worrying about the past or the future but undeniably in the present.  It also keeps you up to date and current about trends. This is great because if you love your craft your mind is active, enthusiastic and responsive.
7)Hobbies have physical health benefits-Ok here comes the Social Worker in me!!!  Happiness is correlated to hobbies. Studies have found that being involved in enjoyable activities are associated with lowered blood pressure, total cortisol, waist circumference and body mass index and that it can lower levels of depression and negative affect.  Hobbies are good for your mind and body!  (that is if you stay away from the treats at Guild Meetings!) Check out this article from Shape Magazine.
​
 So I encourage everyone to have a hobby or creative outlet and If you don't know where to start, ask a friend what they do as a hobby or google something you think might interest you. When I worked outside of the home in the past, it saved me from sinking down the stressed out rabbit hole!

Happy Monday!----- and please make this week count on your happiness meter!

Do you buy those charm packs, layer cakes or fussy cut packages of beautiful fabric that you are very afraid to use because they are so pretty and you want them to "decorate" your sewing room?  This new free pattern is available in the shop section of quiltingintheloft.com and in craftsy.com for easy PDF download.  It's a table runner pattern that uses the 2 1/2" mini charmers.  I guarantee this pattern to show you an easy, fast and effective method to use up these pretty packages and the good news is ....... you can use 2 packs! A great way to audition those lovely Christmas and Halloween novelty charm packs. Enjoy! 

I just downloaded my newest free pattern to Craftsy.com so...... if you want to get it you have 2 options 1) go to www.quiltingintheloft.com in the shop, free patterns section or 2) you can also download it from Craftsy! Just click on the screen shot below

My first free pattern has been added to my website.  It's free and downloadable. Click on Shop and the tab Free Patterns to view and download.  Or click here. The new pattern is called Easy Crazy Patch Pin Cushion. There is no piecing required, so yes it is the easiest! A great gift to make fast! 

On this Labour Day I reflect on what I did all summer.  It certainly wasn't resting, relaxing and reading!
It was teaching, designing, traveling, caregiving, helping and sewing gifts for babies.  I spent very little time in the garden, no time in the sun (but still managed to tan!).  I saw lots of family and this was excellent.  I had one daughter with Wisdom teeth to help, my father getting a knee replacement, another daughter recovering from a concussion, hence the caregiving. Three new baby additions to the family, hence the gifts.  Teaching in Waterloo and in BC, designing in BC and Waterloo.  Wonderful travels to BC & Alaska  (3 weeks), Muskoka,Toronto and Niagara.  I was also helping  with my husbands workshop (his official painter).  Hopefully this fall will give me time to complete some designs, write in this blog, start on the long awaited hand dyes and get things rolling! Below is a collage which basically depicts a micro organization of my summer. I sincerely hope you all had a fantastic summer!!!